Driveway Maintenance

If you have a driveway which has been laid with asphalt/bitumen the following guidance applies.

Your driveway surface has been laid in accordance with the relevant British standards. The materials used in the surfacing are manufactured by an accredited aggregate supplier, with the asphalt specifically designed to offer increased durability.

 

Caring for your driveway

The hardening of the bitumen in your driveway surface is achieved through a natural process of oxidisation. This can take longer through the warmer summer months.

Occasionally, exceptionally hot periods of weather can agitate the driveway surface during its early life. This will not compromise its durability; however, care should be taken at all times to avoid moving vehicles in tight turning circles on your drive.

Please be aware heavy vehicles will cause damage to a driveway.

In addition heavy objects such as motorbike stands can cause depressions. In both these cases, they are not covered by the warranty.

Fuel or oil spillages should be avoided on your driveway surface as these have a corrosive effect on the bitumen.

If spillages occur, immediately use water to dilute the chemicals and if you have spilt oil, attempt to soak it up with sawdust or sand. Small splashes of chemicals won’t affect the tarmac integrity and can be brushed carefully away with a soft brush and lukewarm water.

Older driveways, especially those with little sunlight exposure can experience some weed growth over time. Use an appropriate (tarmac safe) weed killer to kill the weed, and then very gently scrape away the weed, being careful not to disturb the surface itself. Do not pull out any roots, as this could damage the surfacing, instead use an appropriate root killer if necessary.

If you have soil debris on the tarmac, wait until it is dry and carefully brush it away, and if there is any remaining use water and a soft brush to remove carefully and gently.

The use of pressure washers on your driveway is not recommended during its early life-span as this will force out the fine aggregates used in the production process.

Please note that damage to your driveway is not covered by the warranty.

Examples of such damage include, but are not limited to:

• Use of heavy vehicles (e.g. anything larger than a standard vehicle)
• Concentrated pressure points such as motorcycle stands
• Fuel or oil spillages
• Use of pressure washers during the early curing period
• Placement of skips or similar objects that may damage the surface

Holding water

Our driveways are usually finished in tarmac or block paving depending on the design confirmed when you reserved your home.

They will not necessarily be level as they are designed and constructed to minimise the potential for standing water and they may include drainage outlets such as manhole covers and gulleys. Drainage covers should align with adjacent ground surface finish.

If your driveway has standing water 1 hour after rain has stopped, which is deeper than 5mm or exceeds one metre squared, then we arrange to attend on a wet day to inspect.

We ask that you provide any relevant photographs and as much detail are possible as it is likely that we will need to refer to the original plans and design.

This rule does not apply to standing water outside a front door and this is classed as a defect which we will resolve as soon as possible.

Over time, variations in surface levels and finish, including scuffing and pitting, may arise due to settlement, natural ground movement and traffic; these would not be classed as a defect.

Damaged

Any damage to driveways should have been raised during your Home Tour & Demonstration.

There may be some minor variations such as scuffing and pitting due to settlement, natural ground movement and foot traffic which are not classed as a defect.

Damage to tarmac driveways can occur when power steering is utilised in stationery cars, particularly in warm weather, we ask homeowners to be mindful of this.

Levels

Driveways are designed with falls to allow for natural drainage.

If water remains on your driveway for more than 1 hour after rain and is deeper than 5mm or larger than one metre squared, we will attend and inspect this. It will help if you provide photographs and details of the area(s) of concern.

This rule does not apply to standing water outside a front door and this is classed as a defect which we will resolve as soon as possible.

Drainage channels

Driveways are designed with falls to allow for natural drainage.

Additional drainage may have been installed either in front of your garage door (if applicable) or where the driveway edge meets the road.

All drainage channels should be clear of dirt and debris on the day of legal completion. After this, you are responsible for cleaning any drainage channels within your boundary as part of your home owner maintenance.